LAS VEGAS — The tackles are back.
For the first time since the season opener, the Giants will have their starting offensive tackles on the field protecting Daniel Jones.
Left tackle Andrew Thomas and right tackle Evan Neal returned to their customary spots for Sunday’s game against the Raiders at Allegiant Stadium.
Thomas strained a hamstring in the horrible 40-0 loss to the Cowboys in Week 1, the injury coming when Thomas pursued the ball-carrier after a missed field goal led to a touchdown return.
Thomas thought he was ready to give it a go for the Week 4 game against the Seahawks but re-injured himself in practice leading into that game, a setback that meant he would miss two full months before being able to return.
Neal missed the past two games with a sprained ankle.
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The season turned into an immediate crisis management situation once Thomas went down, as Jones was sacked 28 times in the first five games of the season.
The Giants also unveiled a new kicker for this game.
Veteran Randy Bullock won the kicking derby held Friday at the Giants’ practice facility and was the choice of the coaching staff, as he was signed from the practice squad.
Cade York, signed off the Titans practice squad, was one of the Giants’ six inactive players for the game.
A new kicker was needed after Graham Gano was placed on injured reserve.
He is set to undergo surgery on his left (non-kicking) knee.
Gano missed a 35-yard field goal in the closing minute that helped the Jets to a comeback and the Giants to heartbreak in last week’s 13-10 overtime loss.
Bullock, 33, entered the NFL with the Texans in 2012.
He kicked for the Titans the past two seasons.
He was the choice in a tryout last week last Thursday, beating out Mason Crosby, Robbie Gould and Matthew Wright.
This is not the first time Bullock will kick for the Giants.
He filled in for the 2016 season opener — Ben McAdoo’s head coaching debut — when Josh Brown was suspended.
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